The 8.3 percentage drop compared to the polls held seven months ago has literally baffled all parties, mainly the Congress party which is driving the political arena with Priyanka Gandhi’s debut in electoral politics. Many Congress leaders however has expressed confidence and have said that the party has managed to ensure that all the party loyalists and family members have cast their vote.
Wayanad: All political parties in Wayanad constituency is deeply concerned following the heavy drop in poll percentage of the by-poll that was necessitated following Rahul Gandhi vacating Wayanad for Rae Bareli. The 8.3 percentage drop compared to the polls held seven months ago has literally baffled all parties, mainly the Congress party which is driving the political arena with Priyanka Gandhi’s debut in electoral politics. Many Congress leaders however has expressed confidence and have said that the party has managed to ensure that all the party loyalists and family members have cast their vote.
However, many local leaders while speaking on conditions of anonymity admit that public has been reluctant to vote due to a number of issues starting from economic issues, farmers plight, declining tourism activities and the inability to ensure a fair rehabilitation package for those affected in the recent landslides. However, many of the voters who had exercised their franchise 7 months ago were out of station – either in other states or abroad.
“I feel many in our areas did not vote as there were a deep dissatisfaction among the public over many raging issues such as a downfall of the tourism economy, farmer’s distress and many other issues. Also 6 months ago there was an election and people did not have the enthusiasm. Many were of the thought process as why should we vote and what changes it is going to bring. However, the 8.4 percent dip was not even anticipated by the party workers here. Many expected it to at-least cross the 70 percent mark”, said Ajay Meppadi, a local trader and a DYFI activist in Meppadi to News9.
Congress orders probe on the low voter turnout
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader KC VENUGOPAL has ordered for a party-level internal probe into the reasons that led to the low voter turnout.
“The party will probe on the reasons why the voter turnout was low. Indeed all leaders are concerned about the dip in poll percentage”, Venugopal said.
However he expressed confidence on the victory margin of Priyanka Gandhi.
BJP state president K Surendran mocked at the UDF and the LDF over the lower voter turnout and stated that the voters of Wayanad are fed up with both the fronts and hence decided to stay away from voting.
Author: VS NEWS DESK
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